Tuesday, November 3

Modern Spice Cookbook Review and a Cookbook Give-Away

If you love Indian food but are intimated by authentic recipes with 20+ ingredients -- most you've never heard of -- then Monica Bhide's new cookbook Modern Spice: Inspired Indian Flavors for the Contemporary Kitchen is for you.

Bhide's book presents authentic Indian flavors in refreshing, modern ways. She often blends traditional Eastern and Western flavors creating unique, contemporary Indian dishes that are sure to inspire. The recipes tend to be short and straight forward, many ideal for easy mid-week meals. There are several vegetarian options and many meat dishes could easily be made vegetarian. The 100+ recipes are divided into the following categories: chutneys and marinades; modern drinks; appetizers, snacks, and salads; vegetables, beans, and lentiles; poultry, meat, and eggs; fish and shellfsih; rice and breads; and desserts. For each recipe, Bhide gives cooking tips and/or serving suggestions, and she personalizes the book by including several engaging stories about her family life. By the book's end, Bhide feels like a friend.

Saffron-Cardamom Macaroons; I will post this recipe in the near future.

I highly recommend reading Bhide's introduction prior to starting in on the recipes. In the section "The Modern Spice Pantry, she provides an extensive list of Indian spices and ingredients, such as tandoori masala, paneer, tamarind paste, and fenugreek seeds. She defines them, explains how to store them, and where to buy them, including online sites. If you do this step first, it'll make the actually cooking a breeze. It also helps to read "Monica's Kitchen Rules," which address issues such as the best cookware for Indian cooking (nonstick) and ingredient substitutions (coriander seeds, for example, are not a good substitute for fresh coriander leaves).

As for photos, the few that are included are beautiful. My only regret is that there weren't more.

Green Beans Subzi consists of green beans (I used fresh) and potatoes sauteed with garlic, tomato, and spices, including cumin seeds, and turmeric. This dish is easy to prepare and makes green beans and potatoes a lot more exciting than usual. The flavors are bold without being overwhelming, which makes this an ideal side dish for chicken, fish, pork, or beef.

Monica's Tomato and Coconut Fish Curry: Bhide's recipe introduction enticed me to make this one. She writes, "I have been cooking [this] for as long as I can remember. It is a favorite with adults and kids alike. My dad once told me it was his favorite. I cannot tell you how happy I was, since he has such discerning tastes." I'm with Monica's dad on this one: this recipe was my favorite as well. Catfish stars in this dish and is elevated to something special. The fish is gently cooked in a tomato-coconut milk bath that is seasoned liberally with spices such as mustard seeds, curry leaves, ginger, and turmeric. It's a perfect mid-week meal, since it's inexpensive, fast, and easy. I served it atop brown basmati rice. Although Bhide says one pound of catfish fillets serves 4, Jeff and I nearly finished it all.

Saffron-Cardamom Macaroons: I'm a sucker for macaroons and baked goods laced with cardamom, so it didn't take me long to make these cookies. They were amazingly fragrant and very sweet. I think they'd make a lovely holiday gift since they're both unusual and travel well.

Modern Spice will definitely secure a spot on my cookbook shelf; in fact, I already have a few more recipes marked to try soon. I hope you'll be making some of Bhide's recipes as well.

Now for the exciting part! Two lucky Food Blogga readers will receive a complimentary copy of Monica Bhide's Modern Spice cookbook. Here's how to enter for your chance to win:

Just leave a comment below telling us about your favorite Indian dish. That's it. The deadline for entries is next Monday, November 9th, 11:50 pm PST. Winners will be selected randomly and announced on the 10th. Each winner must provide her or his full name and mailing address to receive the cookbook. Good luck!

1. In a large skillet heat the olive over medium heat. When the oil begins to shimmer, add the mustard seeds. As soon as they crackle, add the curry leaves, ginger, garlic, and green chile. Saute for a few seconds to combine.

2. Add the tomato. Cook gently for 10-12 minutes, until the tomato is soft and the oil begins to leave the side of the mixture. You can add some water if the tomatoo begins to stick. I sometimes add a quarter-cup of water and cover the pan for 5-6 minutes. This helps cook the tomatoes faster. Then I uncover it and continue to cook until all the water evaporates.

3. Stir in the turmeric, chile powder, and salt. Cook for 1 minute.

4. Stir in the fish and cook 5 minutes.

5. Add the coconut milk. Let the mixture come to a boil, then lower the heat and simmer, stirring occasionally, until the fish is tender. Serve immediately.

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Monica Bhide was born in India and moved to the U.S. in 1991. She resides in Washington D.C. She is the author of The Everything Indian Cookbook and The Spice is Right and also writes a blog called A Life of Spice. Click here to view a short trailer about Bhide and Modern Spice narrated by the author.

My favorite Indian dish is kadhi pakoras, a yogurt-based curry that's thickened with chickpea flour and filled with spiced chickpea-flour and vegetable fritters. I also love most dishes from the Gujarati region. This dish looks amazing too!

My first real experience with Indian food was actually this past Saturday, when I went with some friends to eat at this really delicious Indian restaurant. The chicken curry is SO delish! I'd never tasted Nan before - that accompanied the curry so well. Eating all of those flavors felt like a party in my mouth. I'll never forget it! Now, because of that experience, I'd like to make and re-create some of those savoury party-in-my mouth dishes!

Definitely a tie between the Malai Kofta I had at NYC's Bombay Talkie and the Palak Chaat at DC's Rasika. The kofta were the perfect mix of sweet and savor and the palak chaat--well, let's just say I never knew spinach could taste so good!

My first experience with Indian food was a stand at a street fair in New Haven almost 15 years ago. They were selling Chicken Tikka Masala... love at first taste! It's still what I order at any time we try a new restaurant, the yardstick by which I measure if I will be going back.

I've been too timid to make Indian food, but would like to start with simple and delicious recipes. Modern Spice would be a welcome addition to my modest cook book collection. My favorite Indian meal is garlic naan and curry cauliflower. Mary-Rose

Matar paneer ... *drool* ... and naan ... *drool* ... and pretty much any curry ... I'm heading to BooksAMillion after work to check out this cookbook! It would be so nice to make these dishes at home.

Dal Makhani is one I love; black lentils in a deliciously spicy sauce. The other that I often crave, the one dish that sends me heading towards my most favorite restaurant to gobble down is Baingan Bharta, or Eggplant Curry. It is especially delicious if the eggplant is grilled over open flame to make it smoky and sumptuous. Hmmm....guess what I want now?

I remembered hearing about Monica's book a while back, and then it left my mind. Thanks for reminding me - I so need to get it! I love Indian cuisine, but I would also like to become more familiar with it. Those macaroons make me drool.

LOL and I forgot to tell you about my favorite Indian dish - duh. I love kheer. I keep making my oatmeal every morning mirroring some of the flavors. But seriously - rice pudding spiced with saffron, cardamom, cinnamon, with nuts and dried fruit? What's not to love? I could eat boatloads.

My husband makes wonderful curries, although I think they're probably not very authentic. I would love to see what he'd do with some actual recipes... (If I buy this for Christmas, is it a gift for him, or a gift for me?)

Ooooohhh, hard to choose a favorite. But I ate lots of tomato/coconut/seafood curry when traveling in Kerala and it is at the top of the list... competing with the general category of chaat. Take something fried, drench it in tamarind sauce and yogurt, scatter some diced onion on top and you've got me hooked!

I have to say that my favorite Indian dishES are saag aloo and something like a butter chicken (sorry don't know the Indian name). The best saag aloo I had was in a restaurant in South Woodham Ferrers, Essex, England (east of London) called Elachi. Frankly, everything I ate there (twice!) could have become my new favorite Indian dish because everything was so outstandingly good.

I know it says tell your favorite India dish, but to be honest, I have never eaten India food. I have always wanted to try it, but never had the opportunity. I would love to win this cookbook and try out a recipe for myself.

My favourite indian dish? gosh, where do I start! :))) I apsolutely adore Indian food, but if I had to choose, I'd have to admit that I'm an absolute sucker for dhals. My favourite one at the moment, though this position is hotly contested by a Sri Lankan coconut dhal, is a Bengali Red Lentil dhal seasoned with a double tarka of: 1) onion, tomato, ginger; and then 2) garlic, red chilies, panch phoran. It is absolutely stunning. Visually beautiful and incredibly fragrant, as well as delicious. Let me know if you want the recipe.

My favorite Indian dish is dessert. Ras malai and Gulab Jamuns are the two I love the most. Something about the flavor of cream with rosewater and pistachios and the sticky sweetness of the syrup and the soaked pastry balls. Yummy

I love, love LOVE Chicken Tandoori with home made Naan. My husband can't get enough Chapatti. I would LOVE to have a great cookbook to learn more Indian dishes. I've always been captivated by the unique tastes and smells of the food.

My favorite Indian food is a simple dal made with split orange lentils. I make it in a crockpot! There's nothing like arriving home at the end of the day to find dal waiting. I make a quick pot of basmati rice, and add a fresh, chopped tomato and a squeeze of lemon...throw some coriander leaves on top and we're set. This is a heartwarming dish that's great any time of the year...

Hands down, my favorite Indian dish is yellow potato curry eaten with paratha. An East Indian friend started making it for me as a special meal back in high school, using her Grandmother's recipe, and I've been hooked ever since.

Well, I haven't a clue what foods I like would be specifically Indian. But I love hommus, rice, lentils, etc. Anything savory. I always try to expand my cooking, though! And I have a book-collecting obsession, so this cookbook would be totally awesome. :)

(My name links to my knitting blog, but I have a food blog [that needs to be updated more often] http://agreeablevodka.wordpress.com/

Chana Masala is my favorite Indian dish. While I tend to order a variety of dishes in a restaurant, I've mastered Chana Masala at home, and I make it at least once a month. It's spicy, filling, healthy, and cost-effective...And I cannot get enough!

You have tempted me to comment -- this book sounds so good. My favorite meal is Masala Dosa, made at a little restaurant in DC. The owner's mother stood at the stove ladeling out the batter, spreading it so easily into huge pancakes. Our children loved it -- crisp pancake, potato filling, lots of flavor. Once we went with the youngest, about 8 months old. He loved the pancake, chewing happily at the filling until he came to a chili -- wouldn't eat another bite. Now (age 34) he loves it all -- and cooks it too!

Saag paneer is my favorite dish for sure, but especially the version they serve at Haandi in Falls Church. The mix of spices is totally unique from anything I've had - I've tried to recreate it in the kitchen to no avail, but I know I can always get it there! :)

I would die for the soft idli and chicken curry that my mom prepares. Though my mom prepares idli's very often this combo is made occasionally for breakfast. I used to hog 6-7 idli's instead of 3 idli's that I normally have. This reminds me that I should visit India very soon:)

I recently taught myself to make a traditional labor intensive, multi-step vegetable biryani. It is essentially an Indian comfort food casserole, and the effort is worth ever delicious bite. I made it for my dear friends housewarming party, and all 60 people in attendance loved the results!

Whew--made it in just under the wire! I ADORE Indian cuisine and basically love every single Indian dish I've ever tried (including the hottest of hot vindaloos!). But I'd have to say my top dish is the quick and easy, always delicious lentil dhal. Mmmm-getting hungry now! ;)

Not sure why the comment I posted at the end of last week has not shown up, but here it is again! One of my favourite Indian dishes has to be one I have posted on my blog for the world to share: Prawn & Tomato Korma with lots of fresh coriander. Its one of the simplest ones in my repertoire and it never fails to please. Delicious, simple method and extremely quick to make. In fact, it is so good that I posted it in my blog for the world to share! I love cooking Indian meals for groups of friends, so I am sure the book would come in very handy if I was fortunate enough to be chosen. Please, please, do post the macaroon recipe as they sound wonderful and I would love to try them. Thanks!

Indian dishes are among my favorites: Chicken Korma is definitely a comfort food that I can't get enough of! As for experimenting, we've had some pretty tasy success with using Indian-like spice mixes with winter greens and with squash.

Lamb korma is my absolute favorite Indian dish! But it's followed closely by a sweet - gulab jamun. I can eat those by the dozen. 8-) I've heard so much about Monica Bhide's book and I am definitely one of those who is intimidated by the complexity of the spice mixtures. As it is, the few times I've made an Indian-inspired dish at home, I've had to rely on pre-mixed spice packets. I would love to learn and gain confidence in making these dishes from the very basics!

In the meantime, many thanks for this tomato and coconut fish curry recipe, and I look forward to the macaroon one as well! 8-)

My favorite Indian dish is Egg Curry. It is made with hard boiled eggs, potatoes, cooked in a cashew sauce. I learned this recipe from my friend, Anna, who is Gujarati and she learned it from her father.